Copper Touch Surfaces for Aircraft Galley Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective passive measures to prevent the spread of viral and bacterial contamination on high-frequency touch points in aircraft, particularly without requiring additional chemical cleaning and with economic viability for retrofitting existing aircraft.
Innovation Solution
The use of copper-plated touch surfaces in aircraft galleys, where copper material is either visible or hidden under a non-copper opaque overlay, providing antibacterial and antiviral properties while being economically viable and easily installable or retrofittable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper material is used on touch surfaces, then antiviral and antibacterial properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The copper material is provided as separate panels that can be independently manufactured and then assembled onto the aircraft galley surfaces. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual copper panels and easier installation by attaching pre-fabricated panels to the existing structure, rather than requiring complex in-situ copper fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The copper panels are designed as removable and replaceable components. If the copper material becomes contaminated or loses its effectiveness over time, the entire panel can be easily removed and replaced with a new one, rather than requiring complex cleaning or restoration processes. This aligns with the concept of replacing components rather than maintaining them indefinitely.
2Illumination intensity
If copper material is visible on touch surfaces, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but visibility of the antimicrobial property is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The copper material can be applied in different finishes or colors to match various aesthetic requirements. The panel surfaces can be treated to have different visual appearances while maintaining the underlying copper's antimicrobial properties. This allows the same material to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes with different visual characteristics.
3Ease of repair
If copper panels are made removable for replacement, then ease of repair and maintenance is improved, but structural integrity and stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The galley surfaces are divided into separate, modular copper panels that can be independently removed and replaced. Each panel is designed as a discrete unit with standardized attachment mechanisms, allowing for easy replacement while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the galley through the modular assembly approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The copper panels can be designed as thin, flexible sheets that conform to the underlying substrate structure. These thin-film copper panels are attached to the galley surfaces using flexible mounting systems that allow for easy removal and replacement while maintaining adequate structural integrity during normal use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The copper-plated touch surfaces significantly reduce viral and bacterial transmission rates by leveraging the antimicrobial properties of copper, enhancing safety without the need for chemical cleaning and maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
copper material portions (114) which kill viruses and/or bacteria through contact therewith
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An aircraft including a cabin galley having a plurality of touch surfaces, wherein at least one of the touch surfaces includes a copper material for reducing a bacterial or viral count on the surface and reducing the risk of infection transmission.